BR112014032519B1 - REINFORCEMENT COUPLER COMBINATION AND DECOLUME ALIGNMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

“COMBINATION OF REINFORCEMENT COUPLER AND COLUMN ALIGNMENT DEVICE” A device for aligning and joining construction elements that make up bolts or bars projecting from opposite elements; the interlocking members adapted for screwing associated with each of the opposite pins; an adjustment nut capable of being threaded into one of the studs to which the adjustment nut is threaded against one of the interlocking members to align the elements, and then locked and encapsulated by screwing the interlocking members. There may be additional means of aligning the pin or bar associated with the apparatus.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention refers to the construction industry in particular, but not limited to an apparatus for aligning and joining reinforced concrete elements, typically columns, walls and / or structural steel components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The joining of reinforced concrete elements, such as columns, walls, floors and beams is an activity known in the construction industry. The problems associated with this construction process are multiple and generally depend on the connection of opposite reinforcing bars or rods that may or may not be precisely aligned in order to transfer tensile, compression and other forces through the connection.

[0003] Means of connection of the prior art are as varied as the applications themselves. A common method of the prior art of connecting the reinforcement bars is by overlapping one bar with another with a preferable length of overlap usually forty times the diameter of the bar. Although this method does not require overlapping bars to be precisely aligned, it does create congestion within the limits of the concrete element. This resulted in a concrete element that is typically a column sometimes having to be larger simply to accommodate the additional bars. This results in a degree of coincidence of residues associated with this prior art method. Other methods used to join the reinforcement bars using mechanical connectors, which are usually threaded or bonded by an epoxy adhesive that joins the protruding ends of the reinforcement bars. This method, however, requires the bars to be perfectly aligned. In addition, this method is only satisfactory if there is a single bar to be aligned with an opposite bar. Prior art descriptions of such connection methods include those disclosed in Australian Patents 2003210074 (Barfix Bermuda Ltd) which disclose a method and device for connecting steel reinforcement bars involving a connection element comprising a thread opening portion, that cuts a screw thread on one of the reinforcement bars. The thread cutting portion cuts a tapered screw thread forming a tapered screw end on the reinforcement bar.

[0004] AU2001051968 discloses a structural bracing system in which a locked nut system is revealed for the use of the threaded steel bar that includes a locking member that is slightly engaged with the bar. The locking member may have an extension to engage the nut with the end of the extension to be displaced, as a result of the deformation of a tongue that acts an extension.

[0005] WO 98/44215 (Barfix Bermudas Ltd) describes a method and apparatus for interconnecting reinforcement bars, in which the connector cuts the thread on an opposite reinforcement bar, once it is tightened.

[0006] In all the aforementioned documents of the prior art, the method and apparatus for joining the reinforcement bars depends on the precision of alignment of reinforcement bars of opposite separate columns. In many situations, however, there are several bars, such as a set of bars, that require a group connection. There is currently no mechanical connection system available that provides for a tolerance in a small misalignment between the respective bars. In order to connect a set of bars to another cluster of bars it can be very difficult and laborious to ensure that each individual bar in a cluster is exactly aligned with its respective and complementarily opposite individual bar in another cluster. In addition, where the reinforcement bars in concrete or steel elements are not aligned and capable of being mechanically connected, the elements themselves require supports or other temporary means to align or support them before connecting their respective reinforcement bars which is intensive for both time and work.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the object of the invention to improve or eliminate some or all of the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art, providing a new process and system of the invention for aligning and joining reinforcing bars of construction elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In one aspect, the invention resides in a device for aligning and joining construction elements typically columns, walls, floors, beams or structural components of reinforced concrete steel comprising, in combination: one or more threaded bolts projecting from of opposing elements to be aligned and joined; the first and second threaded interlock members adapted to be screwed together and to be associated with each of the opposite pins; an adjustment nut threaded on one of the studs and adapted to be closed or encapsulated by the interlocking members; where in use, the adjusting nut is raised by screw against one of the interlocking members to align the elements and then closed and encapsulated by screwing the interlocking members.

[0009] In a more detailed example, the present invention resides in the apparatus for aligning and joining the building elements together, including in combination; a first threaded pin or threaded reinforcement bar embedded in and projecting from an end of a first element; a second threaded pin or threaded reinforcement bar embedded in and projecting from a second element to be aligned and joined with the first element; a first tubular member fixedly attached to the first pin, the first tubular member having a threaded outer wall; a second tubular member having an internal thread adapted to be screwed into the first tubular member, the second tubular member having an end wall with a hole to allow the second tubular member to slide freely along the second pin or bar, in which the orifice dimensions determines the necessary tolerance to accommodate any misalignment of the studs; an adjustment nut capable of being threaded on the second pin and, in contact with the free end of the first tubular member, where the first and second elements are aligned by lifting the screw of the adjustment nut against the free end of the first member tubular and where the second tubular member when screwed over the first tubular member encapsulates and interjects the adjustment nut in place.

[00010] Suitably, the elements are columns or concrete walls being vertically aligned.

[00011] Preferably, the diameter of the hole in the end wall of the second tubular member is equal to or greater than the inside diameter of the free end of the first tubular member.

[00012] Preferably, there are one or more washers above and below the adjustment nut to facilitate rotation of the adjustment nut. The washer can be designed to provide additional bearing capacity between the adjusting nut and the tubular members. The washer may also have an oblong hole that would allow even more bearing capacity (surface area) at the most extreme misalignment allowed.

[00013] In another version there are no washers and the adjusting nut can be designed to eliminate the need for any washers, for example, having upper and lower flanges.

[00014] Suitably, the first and second tubular members have portions of flat or hexagonal faces to facilitate turning with a spanner.

[00015] Optionally, there are one or more locking nuts that can be tightened against the first and second tubular members to additionally secure them on their respective threaded rods.

[00016] Preferably, there are also means of aligning opposite pins or bars comprising a cap member having a central protrusion, the cap adapted to be fitted to the end of a pin or bar; the projection adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of a tubular member of an opposite pin or interlocking bar to substantially align the opposite pins or bars before screwing the first and second tubular interlocking members of the pins or bars.

[00017] Preferably, the cap is friction welded or screwed to the end of a pin or bar.

[00018] Preferably, there are removable clamps adapted to fasten to the studs or bars to temporarily support one or both tubular members interlocked in the studs or bars spaced from a capped end during insertion of the lid protrusion into the central cavity for substantially align the opposite pins or bars.

[00019] In another aspect, the invention resides in a method for aligning reinforced concrete elements typically columns or walls and joining the reinforcement bars or bolts using the apparatus as described here, including the steps of: a) fixing, preferably, screwing the first tubular member over the first pin or bar; b) sliding the second tubular member over the second pin or opposite bar; c) screw the adjustment nut over the second pin or bar and bring it into contact with the free end of the first tubular member, d) tighten the adjustment nut against the first tubular member to align the first and second elements or align the first and second pins or bars with the pin or bar alignment means; e) obtain the desired alignment by screwing the second tubular member into the first tubular member and tightening the second and first tubular members together, thus encapsulating and interlocking the adjustment nut in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00020] For the invention to be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the attached drawings, in which;

[00021] Figure 1 shows the invention in use to align and join concrete columns.

[00022] Figure 2 shows a single unit of the invention in use.

[00023] Figures 3, 4, 5 show several views of the invention.

[00024] Figure 6 shows an elevation in cross section of the invention in which the opposite pins are substantially aligned.

[00025] Figure 7 shows a cross section, an elevation of the invention in which the pins are misaligned.

[00026] Figures 8, 9 and 10 show several exploded views of the invention.

[00027] Figure 11 shows the present invention in use to join opposing steel structural elements.

[00028] Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 show a set of bar or pin alignment means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00029] Referring now to Figure 1, a number of units of the invention 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 are shown, in use to align and join sections of opposite walls or rectangular concrete columns 26, 28.

[00030] It will be evident that the number of units of the invention required will depend on the load bearing specifications and safety requirements in relation to the particular application. In this section, a number of units were used to align and join the concrete columns or walls.

[00031] Referring now to Figure 2, the invention in use is shown to join and align an upper and lower construction element 32 in which the opposite threaded studs 34, 36 are substantially aligned and the upper tubular members 38 and bottom 40 are tightened to encapsulate the adjustment nut (not shown). In this example, the first tubular member has a flange 38a that provides grip or added grip on the concrete that is poured around the unit, thereby sealing the unit.

[00032] In another aspect, the flange 38a also provides a means by which the tubular member 38 can be secured against an edge if it is necessary to be molded into the building element 30, leaving only the externally threaded tubular portion projecting from from the building element.

[00033] Both the first and second tubular members (ie, upper and lower), have hexagonal portions 38 b, 40a to facilitate tightening with an open end wrench.

[00034] Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, and using the same numbering for Figure 2. Several views of the device are shown from different angles. In all views, the first 38 and second 40 tubular members were screwed in, thereby encapsulating and locking the adjustment nut (not shown). It is evident from all views that the opposing threaded pins 34, 36 are substantially coaxially aligned in these views.

[00035] As also shown in Figure 4, locking nuts 38c and 40b are optionally provided, which can be tightened against the first and second tubular members (38 and 40, respectively) in order to fix them later on the rods opposite threads 34 and 36.

[00036] Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, a cross-section elevation of the invention is shown in which the opposite pins 41, 43 are aligned and misaligned 51, 53, respectively. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 6, the inner thread 42a of the second tubular member 42 is shown engaged with the first tubular member 44 which has an outer thread 44a in which both tubular members have been tightened and overlapped to lock the adjusting nut 46 at the place. The adjusting nut is shown with upper and lower washers 48, 50 to facilitate rotation of the adjusting nut and providing additional support capability against the free end 44b of the first tubular member and the second tubular member 42b, respectively.

[00037] Referring now to Figure 7, the apparatus is shown in which the opposite pins 51, 53 are slightly misaligned. In this case, it will be noted that the hole 54a in the end wall of the second interlock member 54 is of a diameter sufficient to accommodate the misalignment of the opposite pin members 51, 53. The screw lift function of the adjusting nut 56 is retained as washers 58, 60 and nut are of a diameter or dimension sufficient to engage the free end 60a of the first interlock member 60. The dimensions of the hole 54a in the end wall allow the first and second interlock elements 60, 54 to be aligned along the geometric axes of the bolt 51 and can be tightened accordingly to encapsulate and lock the adjustment means 56 in place. As discussed earlier, the concrete can then be poured to permanently seal the apparatus.

[00038] Referring now to Figures 8, 9, and 10, exploded views of a preferred apparatus according to the invention are shown. The same numbering system as for Figures 6 and 7 is used. First and second opposing threaded pins 41, 43 are shown of construction elements (not shown), typically concrete columns or pillars to be aligned and joined. The first threaded interlock member 44 with an external screw thread 44a is screwed into the first pin 41. The second interlock member 42 has an end wall with an orifice 42c preferably a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the end free of the first interlock member it is slid over the second pin 43. The internal thread 42a of the second interlock member is adapted to engage with the external thread 44a of the first interlock member. The adjusting means comprises an adjusting nut 46 and washers 48, 50 is then screwed to the second pin 43. The washer 48 is then brought into contact with the free end 44b of the first interlock member 44 and, in addition, rotating the adjusting nut. effectively raises the first interlocking member by screw until the desired alignment between the building elements is achieved. The second interlock member 42 is then coupled with the first interlock member 44, and the interlock members are screwed together. As the second interlock member is tightened with respect to the first interlock member, it encapsulates and locks the adjusting nut 46. The concrete can then be poured into the space between the respective building elements, for example, a concrete floor can be poured around the device, thus securely holding the device in place.

[00039] Referring now to Figure 11, it shows a preferred pair of devices 62, 64 according to the invention for joining and aligning the opposing structural steel elements 66, 68. The threaded rods 70, 72 74 and 76 they are bolted to the beam end flanges 66, 68. As would be appreciated, the number of units used to align elements will vary according to the construction requirements and size of the construction elements to be connected. Likewise, the preferred device according to the invention can also be used to connect the structural steel elements to the concrete elements, for example, in the case of a steel column with a base plate to a molded concrete foundation in threaded bolts (fixing screws).

[00040] Referring now to Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15, a preferred bar or pin alignment means is shown. The cap member 80 having a central protrusion 80a, the cap adapted to be fitted to the end of the pin 82.

[00041] The protrusion 80a adapted to be inserted into a central cavity 84a of an interlocking tubular member 84 of an opposite pin 86 or bar, thereby substantially aligning the opposite pins 82 and 86 shown in Figures 13 and 14.

[00042] Cap 80 is frictionally welded or screwed to the end of pin 82.

[00043] The removable clamp 90 is adapted to clamp on pins 82 to temporarily support tubular interlock member 88 on pins 82 spaced from a capped end while inserting the protrusion of the cap 80a into the central cavity 84a to substantially align the pins or opposite bars, 82 and 86. When removing the clamp 90, the tubular members 84 and 88 are then threaded as shown in Figure 15.

[00044] It should of course be understood that, while the previous description has been given as an illustrative example of this invention, all such modifications and variations, would be evident to people skilled in the art, are considered to encompass the scope broad and scope of the present invention, as defined herein.

[00045] Furthermore, throughout the specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprising" and "containing" should be understood as having a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood as implying the inclusion of an integer or step or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing", such as "to understand", "to understand", "to contain" and "to contain".

[00046] In addition, the term construction or construction "elements" is understood to include concrete pillars, columns, walls, floors, other reinforced concrete structures, as well as steel rods, beams and other steel structures. Where reference is made to studs, they also apply to reinforcing bars or rods projecting from the construction elements as described here. In the specific examples presented, the term, threaded bolts is interchangeable with reinforcement bars that are externally threaded and vice versa.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for aligning and joining construction elements, including columns, walls, beams or structural steel components, the apparatus includes in combination: a first threaded pin or threaded reinforcement bar (41) embedded in and projecting from a end of a first element (30); a second threaded pin or threaded reinforcement bar (43) embedded in and projecting from a second construction element (32) to be aligned and joined with the first construction element (30); a first tubular member (44) fixedly attached to the first pin (41) by a threaded inner wall, the threads of the threaded inner wall engaged with the threads of the first pin, to allow rotation of the first tubular member (44), the first tubular member (38) having a threaded outer wall (44a); a second tubular member (42) having an internal thread adapted to be screwed into the first tubular member (44), the second tubular member (42) having an end wall with a hole (42c) to allow the second tubular member ( 42) slide freely along the second pin or bar (43), where the dimensions of the hole (42c) determines the necessary tolerance to accommodate any misalignment of the pins; characterized by the fact that the apparatus also comprises an adjustment nut (46) capable of being threaded on the second pin (43) and, in contact with the free end (44b) of the first tubular member (44), in which the first and the second building elements (30, 32) are aligned by thread raising the adjusting nut (46) against the free end (44b) of the first tubular member (or vice versa) and in which the second tubular member ( 42), when screwed on the first tubular member (44), it encapsulates and interlocks the adjustment nut (46) in place. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that there are one or more adjusting nuts that can be tightened against the first and second tubular members (44, 42) to still fix them to the respective studs or threaded bars. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the building elements (30, 32) are columns or concrete walls to be vertically aligned. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the diameter of the hole (42c) in the end wall of the second tubular member (42) is equal to or greater than the inside diameter of the free end (44b) of the first tubular member (44). 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first and second tubular members (44, 42) have portions of flat or hexagonal faces to facilitate rotation with a spanner. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that there are means of aligning the pin or opposite bar comprising a cover member (80) that has a central protrusion (80a), the cover (80) adapted to be fitted to the end of a pin or bar; the projection (80a) adapted to be inserted into a central cavity (84a) of an interlocking tubular member (84) of an opposite pin or bar (86) so that the first tubular member (44) can be raised by thread against the cap member, thereby substantially aligning the pins or bars before screwing the first and second tubular interlock members together (84, 88). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the cover (80) is frictionally welded or screwed to the end of a pin or bar (82). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that a cap member (80) is fitted to the end of a pin or bar (82) and a protrusion (80a) of the same cap member (80) is at least partially inserted into the central cavity (84a) of the interlocking tubular member (84) of an opposite pin or bar, providing additional means of aligning the opposite pin or bar. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there are removable clamps (90) adapted to attach to the studs or bars to temporarily support one or both interlocking tubular members on the studs or bars while aligning the studs or bars. 10. Method for aligning reinforced concrete elements and joining their reinforcement bars or bolts, using the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, the method being characterized by the fact that it includes the steps of: a) fixing, screwing the threads of the threaded inner wall of the first tubular member (44) on the threads of the first pin or bar (41), to allow the rotation of the first tubular member (44); b) sliding the second tubular member (42) over the second pin or opposite bar (43); c) screw the adjustment nut (46) onto the second pin or bar (43) and bring it into contact with the free end (44b) of the first tubular member (44), d) tighten the adjustment nut (46) against the first tubular member (or vice versa) (44) to align the first and second pins or bars (41, 43) so that the first and second elements (30, 32) are aligned; e) obtain the desired alignment by screwing the second tubular member (42) into the first tubular member (44) and tightening the second and first tubular members together, thus encapsulating and interlocking the adjustment nut (46) in place. 11. Method for aligning reinforced concrete elements and joining their reinforcement bars or bolts, using the apparatus as defined in any of claims 6 to 8, the method being characterized by the fact that it includes the steps of: a) fixing, screwing the threads of the threaded inner wall of the first tubular member (84) on the threads of the first pin or bar (86), to allow rotation of the first tubular member (84); b) sliding the second tubular member (88) over the second pin or opposite bar (82); c) attach the cap member (80) to the second pin or bar (82) and bring the cap member into contact with the free end of the first tubular member (84); d) pressing the first tubular member (84) against the cap member (80) to align the first and second elements (30, 32); e) obtain the desired alignment by screwing the second tubular member (88) into the first tubular member (84) and tightening the second and first tubular members (84, 88) together and thus encapsulating and interlocking the adjustment nut in place (80).

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